The Office of the Prime Minister issued a statement Monday, denying the PN’s claims that processes of public procurement will be “controlled” by anyone, saying that the claims are “completely false.” Earlier on Monday, the PN in a statement strongly opposed government’s recent amendments that it said “granted excessive powers to the Prime Minister in public procurement procedures and insists on the need for good governance, transparency, and impartiality in these processes.” In a statement responding to the Opposition’s motion in Parliament to repeal what it described as “secretive amendments introduced without public consultation” to public procurement procedures, government said that on the contrary, transparency and governance will be further strengthened. The OPM statement said that government has introduced amendments to the composition of the Public Contracts Review Board to enhance efficiency and eliminate any doubts regarding conflicts of interest. It said that under the previous system,...

The Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights said that it has secured a significant increase in funding for shelters supporting women and children who have escaped domestic violence. An agreement was signed this morning between the ministry and the Merhba Bik Foundation, securing €1,354,515 in funding over the next three years – an increase of 26% from the previous agreement. This funding will support two key residences operated by the foundation: Dar Santa Bakita and Dar Merhba Bik. Dar Santa Bakita offers a therapeutic programme focused on individual counselling, work, and social training, which prepares individuals to integrate into society. Dar Merhba Bik serves as an emergency shelter for women and children without a home, providing crucial support for those recovering from traumatic experiences. Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights, Michael Falzon, expressed his admiration for the services provided at these residences. “Every time I visit residences like...

Malta wants to be a bastion of peace and a strong voice for the permanent cessation of fighting, Prime Minister Robert Abela said as he spoke during a Labour Party discussion on economic freedom. Abela said that every euro spent on armaments goes directly out of the country, “it is not an investment,” he remarked. He continued that no foreigner can come and command the government on how the people’s money should be spent. “Only we decide that, and those are the guarantees I got when I went to Brussels.” He commented that in today’s times, “The story of this small country should serve as a lesson for all nations around us.” Abela said that when Malta was a military economy, the people were poor, but that “the wealth we have seen has been nonstop” ever since the country became non-aligned. “Childcare, education, and health for free…...

 Thiago Motta was fired as coach of slumping Juventus on Sunday, with Igor Tudor named as a replacement for the rest of the season. “The club would like to thank Thiago Motta and all of his staff for their professionalism and for the work they have carried out in recent months with passion and dedication,” Juventus said in a statement. “The club wish them the best of luck for the future. “Juventus FC also announce that the men’s first team will now be led by Igor Tudor, who will take charge of his first training session tomorrow,” the club added. Juventus conceded seven goals and scored none in its last two Serie A matches – 4-0 and 3-0 losses to Atalanta and Fiorentina, respectively – leaving the record 36-time champion in fifth place and at risk of not qualifying for the Champions League. Motta, who was in his first season...

A Nationalist Party-led government would construct a new road to improve connections to Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour, the party’s leader Bernard Grech pledged on Sunday. Grech was speaking during a political activity focused solely on Gozo at the PN’s sub-headquarters in Sannat. On the topic of connectivity, Grech said that the party had confirmed that their plan for Gozo can be funded by the European Union. Among the first things that Grech said the PN would do if elected would be to stop the usage of the MV Nikolaus – the Greek ferry currently in Gozo Channel service – noting that this was a “third hand” ship and that it costs €13,000 to operate for eight hours – money that he said can be better invested into a new ship. Grech said that a PN government would also invest in a fifth ship which is dedicated to cargo...

A woman was injured on Saturday when the car she was driving was involved in a traffic collision in Victoria Road, Nadur, the police said. The accident took place at 1.30pm. It involved a BMW driven by a 43-year-old woman of Sannat and an ERF truck driven by a 26-year-old man of Xewkija. The woman was taken to Gozo Hospital with grievous injuries. Source link

Pope Francis will be released from the hospital on Sunday, after 38 days battling a life-threatening case of pneumonia in both lungs, his doctors said. Gemelli medical director Dr. Sergio Alfieri said Saturday that Francis will require at least two months of rest and rehabilitation as he continues recovering back at the Vatican. Francis was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened. He later developed a life-threatening case of pneumonia. Pope Francis ‘ doctors provided their first in-person update on the pontiff’s condition in a month, in a sign that he has made good and steady progress in his battle against double pneumonia. The Saturday evening briefing is the first since Feb. 21, a week after the 88-year-old Francis was brought to Gemelli hospital. He subsequently experienced several respiratory crises that landed him in critical condition, though he has since stabilized. In another development,...

Socialists, leftists and progressives are calling for clarification in light of what the Prime Minister publicly declared on 3 February regarding the need for public discussion concerning whether the Neutrality clauses in the Constitution of Malta are serving the Country’s defence needs in light of present and future conflicts. Today, several individuals held a press conference to present an open letter addressed to the Prime Minister. The letter was signed by around 60 individuals, coming from diverse backgrounds but who all identify with Socialist, leftist or progressive values. They argued that the Government of Malta has a duty to take an unequivocal stance on the country’s neutrality. This need is especially urgent given recent political decisions and events that suggest ambiguity in the government’s commitment to Article 1(3) of the Constitution of Malta. Yesterday the Prime Minister replied to our letter and reiterated his commitment to Malta’s neutrality. “Whilst...

Archbishop Charles Scicluna last Sunday visited the correctional facility in Kordin, celebrating Mass and meeting inmates on the occasion of what is known as the Prisoners’ Jubilee. The prison was in the news a few weeks ago when a damning report issued by the Ombudsman exposed the “systemic maladministration” of the facility a few years back, when Colonel Alex Dalli was running the place. It inevitably led to calls for the resignation of Minister Byron Camilleri, and also put the spotlight on how the prisons should operate. The topic of prisons and the need for more humane correctional facilities is one that evokes significant debate in the field of criminal justice. There is growing recognition of the need to reform prison systems to better serve the goal of rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their criminal behaviour, are treated with dignity and respect....

Lewis Hamilton surprised the crowd and himself by securing his first sprint pole position for Ferrari in the final moments of qualifying Friday at the Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix. Hamilton arrived in Shanghai after his disappointing season-opening race last weekend in Australia, where he finished 10th in his first race for Ferrari. He only managed fourth fastest in opening practice here for a modest improvement on that. He topped the first section of sprint qualifying for the season, before the dominant McLaren of Lando Norris took over in SQ2. An aborted lap from the McLaren driver, following a mistake on his final lap, handed Hamilton his chance – and the seven-time world champion took it in stunning style with less than a minute remaining. “I’m just a bit gobsmacked, honestly, I’m a bit taken back by it,” Hamilton said. “I didn’t know when we would get to this position. Even though...